Dear Readers,

Austria Donates to the George C. Marshall International Center

At a reception held at the residence of Austrian Ambassador Eva Nowotny on July 7, Austria presented a donation of 150,000 Euros to the George C. Marshall International Center. This gift, the second major gift of the Austrian government to the Center, is to be used to support educational exchange programs shared by Americans and the recipient countries of the Marshall Plan.
Austria’s first major donation to the Center, made in the early 1990s, assisted with the preservation of Dodona Manor, the Leesburg, Virginia, home of George Marshall, the individual most instrumental in the development of the European Recovery Program. This Program, better known as the Marshall Plan, helped with the reconstruction and revival of Europe after World War II.
In her remarks Ambassador Nowotny expressed appreciation for the work done by the Center in preserving and restoring Dodona Manor and for educational programs that the Center has developed to advance the legacy of this soldier-statesman. “The Center’s work deserves support, especially from the countries which benefited from the Marshall Plan,” Ambassador Nowotny stated. She added, “In Austria’s case, the Marshall Plan helped keep the country together politically, economically and socially during the ten years after World War II, when other countries under similar Allied occupation became divided. We certainly would not have developed and prospered as we have without the generous support rendered through the Marshall Plan. Future generations must not be allowed to forget this and George Marshall’s many other contributions to a peaceful world order.”

Austrian Food is Going International

Growing Interest in the U.S.A. for Taste of Austrian Nature

by Hans Kordik

Growing Interest in the U.S.A. for Taste of Austrian NatureEmperor Franz-Josef was known to be a gourmet and, gourmand that he was, he relished good food in large quantities. In fact, the famous “Sacher Torte” (chocolate cake) and the “Sacher Würstl” (hot dog about 14 inches long) achieved popularity due to the culinary habits of this Habsburg monarch. Enjoying good food, especially that of high quality, characterizes the Austrian consumer. The last few decades have caused the expectations of Austrian consumers regarding their food to change. Since the definition of quality is considered to be subjective, it can vary from consumer to consumer. Quality could be defined, for instance, as freshness or healthiness of produce. Requests for high-quality and healthy foods are not enough for the Austrian consumer; however, today their demands go much further, for they want to know where the food comes from, how it was produced and whether it respects the environment and takes into consideration animal welfare.

EURO 2008 - Paella instead of Weißwurst after all…

The final of the EURO 2008 Soccer Championship on June 29th, 2008 in Vienna was a competition between two of Europe’s leading soccer nations. Spain and Germany had advanced to the final round by defeating Russia and Turkey, respectively, in the semifinals. Although a slight favorite, Germany was no match for the speed and technique of the Spanish “matadors.” The superb goal of Spanish striker Fernando Torres in the 33rd minute was the deciding factor in the game, but the 1-0 victory did not reflect the supremacy of the Spanish team.

The Georgia Salzburgers

Oldest Colony of Austrian Families in America

Next year will mark the 275th anniversary of the arrival of the Georgia Salzburgers in the New World, where they have continued to be the oldest existing colony of Austrian families to have settled in America. Activities will be held throughout the year to celebrate this anniversary and one of its founders, Pastor John Martin Boltzius. His correspondence has recently been translated and will be published with the help of the Francke Foundation. A large life-size statue will be erected during next year’s celebration and many Georgia Salzburgers are expected to attend.

Independent Scientific Thinker

Austrian-born neuroscientist and thinker Karl H. Pribram is widely known for his research on the brain, his development of the holonomic brain model of cognitive function and his contribution to ongoing neurological research into memory, emotion, motivation and consciousness.

The Reconstituted American-Austrian Cultural Society

Founded in 1954 to promote cultural, educational and scientific relations between the United States and Austria and to foster a wider knowledge of the arts of both countries, the American-Austrian Society in Washington, D.C. was recently reconstituted as the American-Austrian Cultural Society. Along with other American-Austrian Societies in the U.S. and the Austrian-American Councils, they represent important cornerstones for the Austrian Community and Friends of Austria in the United States.